BLUE

Blue is the color I think of for the Winter Solstice (the 3rd week in December) through January 31.  Here in the central Upper Peninsula of Michigan USA, the colors in the middle of winter are mostly white enhanced by blue skies and sunshine that bounce the light off of the white snow.

During January, there are no holidays or festivities to decorate for. This is when I display my snowmen, snowflakes and wintery colors like blue and silvery metallics - all representing what I see when I look outdoors.

Today's Stamping with Friends Blog Hop - Inspiration from Around the World - is focusing on the Stampin' Up! products that will soon retire.  I've used Regal Distressed Specialty Paper in white, adding blue. 

Stampin' Up! Products include a new catalog every four months, with products and kits added each month to our online store.  The catalog products are retired at the end of each seasonal or annual catalog.

Find the Stampin' Up! Products  I used here in my online store or click the link for each in the instructions.

    *Balmy Blue Ink, Cardstock

    *Blueberry Bushel Ink

    *Blending Brush

    *Regal Distressed Specialty Paper (Retiring, listed on "Last Chance" list)

    *Forever Plaid Embossing Folder with Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine

    *Winter Meadows Designer Series Paper

    *Frosted Forest Decorative Masks

    *Iridescent Ribbon

    *Embossing Paste

    *Wink of Stella

    *Tombo Multi-Purpose Glue

    *Ephemera

My project, "Blue," uses this Specialty Paper, but any paper that has metallic effects with a light background will work.

In thinking of how the blue sky enhances the look of the snow with the bright sun, I've taken this specialty paper and shaded it with Balmy Blue ink, using a small Blending Brush. This will make the metallic lines of the design stand out. 

To make the metallic stand out even more, I have used the Embossing Folder, Forever Plaid.   Next I added a darker blue of Blueberry Bushel by lightly dragging an ink pad over the raised, or embossed plaid pattern.  Set this aside.

I chose the Winter Meadows paper with the blue water-color look trees in the background.   Make a circle for the front design either by punching out a piece with a 2 3/8" punch or by using the Spotlight on Nature dies or similar.  Use embossing paste or a modeling paste and spread it across a pine tree mask in a thin layer, then clean the mask or stencil immediately in warm water.   

This is the Modeling Paste I make and use:  mix 8 Tablespoons of Baking Soda, 3 Tablespoons of White Latex Craft Paint (You can use any color of paint to suit your needs) and 2 Tablespoons White Glue (I use Tombo Multi Purpose Glue.  When the glue dispenser gets low, I set it aside for use in projects such as this) Mix thoroughly together and keep in an air-tight container. I use a glass jar.)

Add Wink of Stella to the frosted tree once the paste is dry, as shown above. Attach a 7-inch piece of iridescent ribbon under the circle and then attach the circle to the center of the plaid layer. Add a sentiment with Ephemera  - or your favorite words.   

Use Balmy Blue Card stock as the card base.   Blue. Its the color of January, winter, and 2025.  Thanks for hopping along.  Click the link to view the next creative project. Happy Holidays!sb

Do you love the quality and color coordination of the blues and products used today? Why not consider choosing $125 of your favorites and pay only $99?  I'd love for you to join my team, Card Connoisseurs, as a hobby crafter or pursue a business, and where you get a discount with every order and can earn points for free products.